A Police Covenant to protect Hampshire’s police officers both in and out of the job will be introduced next year after successful lobbying from Alan Mak MP.
Home Secretary Priti Patel announced that the Government will legislate to bring in the Covenant, which will focus on protecting officers and staff, health and wellbeing and support for their families and cover serving and retired staff.
The move follows campaigning from Alan Mak MP and colleagues in Parliament.
Alan Mak MP said: “I’m delighted my campaign has succeeded and we are putting the Police Covenant into law. It’s important to show our Police Officers how much we value them. They put their lives on the line for others and it is right that we show we are on their side and will give them all the protection and support they need both in and out of the job. Officers across Hampshire and the country work tirelessly trying to protect our communities and I am sure they will welcome this recognition of all that they do.”
The Covenant will address major inconsistencies across forces in terms of financial and emotional support for families of officers killed in the line of duty. It will create a statutory duty to do more to support the police, require Parliament to report annually on the Covenant, cover those both in work and retired whether paid or volunteering and focus on wellbeing of officers.
Its main focus will be on physical protection, health and wellbeing and support for families.
Police attacks continue to remain high and official figures show there were 1241 recorded assaults on Hampshire officers in the 12 months to April this year. Across England and Wales there were 30,679 assaults recorded in the latest 12-month period.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “The police and the families that stand behind them deserve special recognition. Their bravery and sacrifices are what keep us and our loved ones safe. I will put the police covenant in law to ensure they will always have the support of the nation.”
